A brace from Hayley Raso saw Australia advance to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with a fine win over Canada.

This result knows the Canadians out of the competition.

Australia were full value for their win. They took the game to Canada right from the start. They pressed from early on and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through Raso.

Mary Fowley had a goal ruled out for offside in the 29th minute but in the 39th minute Raso doubled her side’s advantage. They got their third goal in the 57th minute through Fowler. Steph Catley scored a penalty late on to seal a fine win.

Canada were poor. Their defence was shaky and couldn’t contain the Australian attack. They offered very little up front and didn’t have their first shot on target until the 66th minute.

A ball in from Catley was finished to the net by Raso in the ninth minute. The flag went up for offside but after a VAR review the referee awarded the goal.

In the 13th minute Raso brought a good save out of Canada keeper Kailen Sheridan. 

Fowler thought she had got her side’s second goal in the 29th minute but the referee reviewed it and it was ruled out for offside.

The Matildas did get a second goal in the 34th minute when Sheridan didn’t deal with Kyra Cooney-Cross’s corner and Raso poked the ball home. It was poor defending from the Canadians.

Canada manager Bev Priestman rang the changes at half-time and introduced four substitutes. One of the players to make way was their long-serving player and captain Christine Sinclair.

Despite those changes it was Australia who had the best of the early second half opportunities. In the 52nd minute Cooney-Cross hit a shot from distance but Sheridan did well to tip it over the bar.

Minutes later the Matildas got their third goal. Caitlin Foord broke down the left, she cut the ball back for Fowler whose shot went in off the butt of the post. 

Such was the home side’s dominance that Canada’s first chance of the second half didn’t come until the 66th minute. Substitute Deane Rose got forward, she took a shot but her effort was saved by the feet of the Australian netminder Mackenzie Arnold.

In the 75th minute Canadian sub Sophie Schmidt saw her effort deflected out for a corner. Down the other end Fowler’s effort came off the post.

Evelyne Viens brought a good save out of Arnold near the end. In stoppage time Australia sealed the win with a Catley penalty.